The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good by Kirsty Applebaum - Book Review

Publication Date: 11th Sep 2025

Genre: Middle-Grade Mystery, Fantasy

4.5 Stars

One Liner: Love it!

Fran doesn’t want to stay with her uncle and aunt or their daughter, her annoying cousin Imogen. Doesn’t matter if it is only for a week. However, even Fran doesn’t expect what she sees. Imogen has disappeared, and no one remembers her, not even her parents or her best friend, Bex!

Fran is not willing to let it go. She will find out where Imogen is. But first, Fran has to determine what the hidden garden on the Stillness Estate has to do with it.

The story comes in the first-person POV of Fran, the third-person POV of Imogen and Bex, and the third-person POV of another character.

My Thoughts:

Nosy Crow is fast becoming a favorite middle-grade publisher. Their books are short, quick, and entertaining! This one is no different.

It has short chapters, 2-3 pages each, and maintains a wonderful tempo. I finished the entire book in a single sitting. Also, the cover is apt for the book.

The storytelling stands out here. We get the story in different POVs and a dual timeline narrative. That ensures that we can know what has happened and see how it affects the present. This also prevents the need for an info dump at a later stage and keeps the reader hooked.  

Though Fran is the protagonist, she is not the only main character. Imogen and Bex also play major roles. I like that Imogen gets a third-person POV while Fran has the first-person (since her narration is a bit more). Kids will not be confused about whose story they are reading.

Moreover, the three girls are distinct from each other. They are layered while still being kids. Neither of them is perfect. They learn, they change, and they grow – all without making the story preachy or boring.

The actual mystery surrounding the disappearance is really intriguing. I wish we had more details about the thing, but kids will enjoy the plot as it is. There’s adventure, suspense, and danger.

The ending feels a bit abrupt, but I can see why it ended that way. It’s perfect for the plot.

After asking for illustrations, I did get one in this book. The first page of each chapter has the illustration of an element from the cover. I won’t mind more, though!

To summarize, The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is a wonderful blend of fantasy, mystery, a bit of adventure, danger, and kids who learn to look beyond appearances.

Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley

Murder in the Winter Woods by Katie Gayle - Book Review - Blog Tour

 Series: Julia Bird Mysteries #8

Publication Date: 25^th Sep 2025

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/B0DZRKHXF6social

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228921537-murder-in-the-winter-woods

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery, Contemporary

4 Stars

One Liner: Early Christmas Mystery

Book Blurb:

Julia Bird adores a walk on a winter’s day. The crunch of fresh show under your feet and the promise of hot cocoa by a roaring fire afterwards… But she’s not expecting to find a body in the woods!

It’s Christmas in Berrywick, the busiest time of year for dashing taxi driver Lewis. But when he’s killed in a road accident, the entire village is shaken. Julia Bird, recently appointed to the Road Safety Committee, visits the site so that no other villager suffers the same fate. But when she spies a pendant left in the bushes, she feels certain Lewis’s death was no accident…

As the festive lights twinkle in the village square, Julia vows to uncover the truth. She soon learns not everyone found Lewis’s charm appealing. Sweetshop owner Dora says he had an eye for the ladies, much to his wife’s frustration. Lewis recently gave his life savings to a mysterious businessman who proves difficult to track down. But could these be reasons enough to want him dead?

Then, local beekeeper Matthew is struck by a car near the Christmas market. Julia believes the two deaths must be linked, but contrary to Lewis, Matthew was as sweet as the honey he sold. Who could possibly want to hurt Berrywick’s kindest man?

With no obvious leads, Julia stumbles upon an old picture that finally links Lewis and Matthew. Many years ago they were in a band poised for stardom, but when the bubble burst, their chance at fame vanished quicker than a glass of festive eggnog. Could someone be targeting the band members one by one? And can Julia track them down before the killer strikes again?

An utterly gripping and totally charming cozy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love the Julia Bird Mysteries!

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Julia’s third-person POV.

This is the eighth book in the series and might work as a standalone since the personal track is steady and the focus is on the mystery. Of course, we still see more developments and happy times with loved ones. These are always welcome.

Jake, our chocolate Lab, makes a slightly late entry since he was left at home, as the humans enjoyed the Winter market. Unfair, right? Poor Jake! He lost the opportunity to run around and whack a few displays with his tail.

Given the festive vibe, the mystery feels a bit mellow. It works since the setting (Nov) has the same languid feel. Still, the book discusses important topics. The focal point is road safety, a very important aspect across the world.

The chickens are healthy, though they’ve slowed down due to the cold. Chaplin the cat is in his element and even occasionally displays his affection by bringing gifts. You can guess what kind!

The mystery starts simply. Then, new layers are added to it. Some are red herrings, but some are solid leads. Can you figure out which ones to follow? I guessed it right, and we actually got the answer at one point. Series readers will know it when they see it. ;)

The pacing felt a bit slower than usual, but no complaints. It suits the mood.

To summarize, Murder in the Winter Woods is a solid continuation of the series and a great read if you want a compact little cozy mystery set in winter.

Thank you, Sarah Hardy, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Authors – Katie Gayle

Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg with their husbands, children, dogs, and cats. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieGayleWriter

X: https://twitter.com/KatieGayleBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiegaylebooks

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Katie Gayle here: https://www.bookouture.com/katie-gayle

***

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This has been a pitstop on the blog tour for #MurderInTheWinterWoods by Bookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! 

Cloaked in Deception by Cara Devlin - Book Review

Series: Spencer & Reid Mysteries #4

Publication Date: 13^th Sep 2025

Genre: Historical Mystery

4.5 Stars

One Liner: Keep going!

Leonora Spencer and Detective Inspector Jasper Reid are among the guests at the charity dinner for the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage when a masked gang attacks the event, resulting in a brutal murder.

Leo is determined to help Jasper, and he is determined to keep her safe. When they find a clue that leads them to a past event, Leo and Jasper have to confront the killer before it is too late.

The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:

We are in the fourth book of the series. While there is enough information to make this a standalone, I recommend starting with the first book. It’s worth the time.

The story starts a month after the previous book ends. There seems to be a faint hope for the FMC (career-wise), though we’ll know for sure in the next book or the last one.

The slow burn is still slow, but the burn has upped the heat a little bit. I like it! Good to see steady progress in the right direction.

The mystery is intriguing and well-executed. It has a few twists and reveals that align with the plotting and fit nicely into each slot. I could guess most of it, though in a different way.

Of course, the FMC has a penchant for getting into danger, and this book is no exception. Thankfully, she also has enough brain to keep herself alive somehow. This helps.

The pacing is moderate, but it sustains the same momentum from start to finish. Even with the internal monologue and thoughts, the intensity doesn’t dip. It doesn’t feel bored or dragging at any point.

The ending has laid the foundation for a showdown, which I think will happen in the last book (6^th). Bring it on!

Book #5 is scheduled for Jan 2026, and I’m counting days already!

To summarize, Cloaked in Deception is a solid mystery and a great continuation to the series. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

My thanks to the author for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

 

Murder by Firelight by Merryn Allingham - Book Review

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #12

Publication Date: 04th Sep 2025

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/B0F6Y558JXsocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232435224-murder-by-firelight

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

4 Stars

One Liner: Good!

Book Blurb:

No one can hold a candle to amateur detectives Flora Steele and Jack Carrington as they ask the burning question… Who is the killer walking the cobbled streets of their historic little town?

Sussex, November 1959: There’s a chill in the air at the Lewes bonfire celebration. Carnival floats fill the narrow streets, fireworks crackle overhead, and Flora and Jack feel the heat of the burning torches lining the streets. But when Trevor French, chief of the Grove Bonfire Society, tumbles from his parade float, they know something is afoot. Trevor didn’t just fall – and amidst the crowds, his killer slips away through the smoke-filled night.

But who would want the respected Trevor dead? As Flora and Jack question the vying bonfire societies, they find a surprisingly competitive underbelly at play. Did Edwin Brooker, former chairman, stoke the flames of rivalry too far? Or are the tears of the victim’s friend, Leo Nelson, faked to keep himself safe?

Just as the sleuths believe they’ve figured it out, the body of a key suspect in the case is found dead on their hearth rug, and Flora and Jack realise that no one is safe – including themselves. Together, can they smoke the murderer out? Or will their chances of survival go up in flames?

A completely addictive and absolutely charming cozy mystery novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs.

So, we are in the twelfth book of the series. The story can work as a standalone, though you might enjoy it more if you read at least a couple of earlier books.

After complaining about the FMC’s overenthusiasm in the previous books, it’s a relief to see her reluctant to take on a new case in this one. Of course, it’s the MMC who has the itch to know what happened. That said, they solve it together, as they often do, so all is good.

November’s winter plays a good role in the story and elevates the plot as well as the setting. The descriptions of the bonfire night, the costumes, etc., are well done without slowing the narration.

The mystery is quite interesting, with some twists and turns and a few red herrings. I did figure out who the killer was and the reason for it. Easy, since all the clues are provided to the reader. We are not kept in the dark to maintain suspense.  

As always, the side characters add extra charm to the story by appearing a few times here and there. Not a lot of developments in that area, but there are a few. Though the FMC’s clinginess to the past could create some trouble for the couple in the future.

I think I can guess what the next case is likely to be. Let’s see if I’ll be right!

To summarize, Murder in Firelight is a quick cozy mystery that will keep you hooked from start to finish. It’s a small book and can be finished in a couple of sittings.

Thank you, Sarah, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Merryn Allingham

Merryn taught university literature for many years, and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringing the past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regency romances, wartime sagas, and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery at their heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of time before she plunged into crime with a cozy crime series set in rural Sussex against the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

Follow the Author:

Website: https://merrynallingham.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Merryn Allingham here:  https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham

***

This has been a pitstop on the blog tour for #MurderbyFirelight by Bookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! 

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Is This Real or Just Pretend? by Emily Sullivan - Book Review

Series: Untitled (#2) 

Publication Date: 09th Sep 2025 

Genre: Historical Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Better than book one 

Alexandra Atkinson (Alex) is a master of business and has spent all her life helping her father with their company. However, none of her talents is of use if she cannot win the approval of the board. It doesn’t help that she has no time or inclination for parties and balls. She never really fit. 

Lucien Taylor is the son of a coachman and a childhood friend of the Atkinson girls. He had always crushed on Winifred, who treated him like a little playmate. Years later, he is back from Paris after a failed business. 

Alex offers a simple proposition – a fake courtship for her to secure the board vote and him to get investment for a new business. It seems easy enough until they realize love could complicate things. 

The story comes in Alex and Lucien’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

Though I didn’t much enjoy the previous book (Duchess Material), I knew I would read this one. I liked Alex in that and liked her even more in this book. It is sad that no one really seems to see her and try to understand her. 

The MMC is nice enough, not a complete idiot, but I didn’t like that he hurt the FMC more than once. He does apologize, yet it doesn’t seem enough. 

The danger elements are pretty much non-existent until the last quarter, so much so that I totally forgot the track until the Inspector walked in. 

The FMC’s sisters have substantial roles, though, as before, I wasn’t much impressed by them. Book three will certainly be interesting, given who it will have as the main leads. 

Historical romance is changing, which is nice in a way. We have the reverse age gap and virgin hero tropes in this one. There is spice (2.5 maybe), which is not great. You can skim through. 

The pacing is solid. I like that it keeps a steady momentum and doesn’t slacken at any point, even when the characters are being idiots. It made me finish the book faster! 

This could have been a proper 4-star if the lead couple had a proper and heartfelt conversation, at least at the end. They patch up and all, but where is the conversation where they sort things out? 

To summarize, Is This Real or Just Pretend? is a fast-paced and entertaining read for a lazy afternoon. You can finish it in three hours or so. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC.

#NetGalley #IsThisRealorJustPretend

A Promise of Forever by Sheryl Lister - Book Review

Series: Firefly Lake #3 

Publication Date: 19th August 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fic 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Low-stakes and sweet

Terri Rhodes and her husband had a whirlwind marriage and moved to Firefly Lake. As time passed, Jon’s legal practice and Terri’s work as an ER nurse made them guests in their own home. Terri yearns to connect with Jon as before work, and an unexpected tragedy changed their lives. 

Jon knows his wife is unhappy, and so is he, but he isn’t willing to talk about it. But when Terri left, Jon was desperate to do anything to bring her back and worried if it was too late. With help from his new Supper Club friends, he hopes to win Terri back no matter what. 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Terri and Jon. 

My Thoughts: 

When I requested the book, I wasn’t aware that this was the third in a series. Not a problem when I know I’m jumping into a series, but I do like to know it in advance. 

A Table for Two and A Perfect Pairing are the first two books, and it’s clear that I would have enjoyed this more if I had read at least one of them. This book is possibly the last in the series, so it divides the attention between the main couple and the side characters. 

The writing is easy to read, like very easy to read, with light-hearted dialogue and basic descriptions. I could finish the book in 1.5 days, so that tells you something. 

The main characters are likable. They are in love with each other but are going through a tough phase. The MMC has a lot of suppressed trauma to unpack, which he does eventually, since he loves his wife. 

The main side characters were delightful (not a surprise since they featured as leads in the previous books). The others were nice too. In fact, we don’t have villains here. Just some nosy and overbearing people who also learn to tone down by the end. 

Based on the first 50%, this was a 4-star read. However, the plot lost its momentum in the second half. It still had interesting moments, but I felt like it became a bit too easy despite the triggers. 

Food is a strong theme, and there are a couple of recipes at the end for those who want to try. I appreciate this (obviously), though it’s not my kind (doesn’t matter; any food works in books). That said, I’d love a recipe for the 7Up cake. It sounds interesting! I remember there was a trend, maybe, of using soda water in some cakes. Will have to look it up again. 

There’s some open-door romance and spice, but not in detail. Maybe 1.5 on the scale. My favorite is that there’s no unwanted drama. While it does make the book too sweet, it also sticks to the core theme of a couple in love trying to find their way back to each other. It's assuring when the characters confidently state they love their partners with all their hearts and are learning to show it. 

To summarize, A Promise of Forever is a sweet, hopeful, and heartwarming read set in a typical small town where the gossip mill works overtime. Rounding it up since the book made me smile. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #APromiseOfForever

*

TW: premature birth and death of the baby